Safety cot for care of babies



Nov. 9, 1943. M. R. KOSTER SAFETY COT FOR CARE OF BABIES Original Filed Oct. 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jrwwwtom Nov. 9, 1943. M. R. KOSTER 2,334,014

SAFETY COT FOR CARE OF BABIES Original Filed Oct. 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nagga re't FE. hosier Nov. 9, 1943.

M. R. KOSTER 2,334,014

SAFETY GOT FOR CARE OF BABIES Original Filed Oct. 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Margaret Fi/foszer I Patented Nov. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE I I 2,334,014 SAFETY-COT FOR. CARE OF BABIES Margaret R. Koster, Brooklyn, N. Y.

OriginalapplicationOctober 24, 1940, Serial No.

362,696. Divided and this application Novem- -ber30, 1942, Serial No. 467,396

'3 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding cot and is particularly related to a safety cot for dressing babies.

In the care of babies, it is often necessary for the mother or nurse to perform the duties connected with the care of a baby without assistance from others. It is often difficult for a single person to perform these duties for the reason that it is not felt that the baby being cared for is safe from falling unless both hands of the mother or otherattendant are continuously used for holding the baby on a bed or table. With vigorous babies, a compromise is usually the result with one hand holding the baby in place, the other being used to dress, wash, powder, undress the baby or perform any other necessary duty in connection with the babys care.

In travelling with babies in an automobile, for example, various flexible bed arrangements have been provided, some of them suspended from the tops and upper portions of the automobile, thereby giving a greater movement to the babys bed due to the high points of attachment.

In producing this invention, it has been the object to overcome difficulties encountered in the care of babies, some of which have been pointed out, and providing a folding cot upon which the baby may be laid and held in a safe position without discomfort to the child or anxiety to the mother.

To produce the desired and complete results, it is necessary to have a folding cot such as is claimed in this application and a holding-means such as is described in my copending application Ser. No. 362,696, filed October 24, 1940, of which this application is a division.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a safety cot for babies having a hinged section which may be supported at various angles while the baby is held against falling.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a safety cot for babies wherein a double hinge is provided between two sections to facilitate folding of the mattress used with the cot.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a safety cot for babies wherein is provided a mattress and means for folding the extended cot to provide a conveniently carried "unit'of the size of a small suit case.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cothaving three hinged sections facilitating folding of the cot with securing means at each side to hold the bed sections at adjusted angles and both operable from a common control means, available at either side of the cot.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a folding cot and mattress, the cot having two sections substantially equal :in length and each pivoted to an intermediate section, the intermediate section being of a size to permit the mattress sections to lie "flat-'andform a bottom or top for the folded cot.

Other and further objects'of the'invention will be apparent to those skilled in "the art from a readingof the complete specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention,

Fig. l is a plan view of a preferred form of my invention in extended or open position.

Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the invention in folded or closed position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of the hinge.

Fig. 5 "is a plan view of a slightly modified form of the invention in extended or open position.

Fig. 6 is a side'elevation of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 6 but with the hinged section adjusted at an angle.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the central portion of the cot'with the mattress removed to more clearly illustrate the workings of the three 'hinge .sections and the locking mechanism.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line ID-40 of Fi 9.

Fig. 11 is a bottom view showing the folding support in extended position in full lines and folded in dotted lines.

Fig. 12 is an upright elevational view showing one side asthe cot is folded for transportation.

Fig. 13 is an end view of Fig. 12.

Referring particularly-to Figs. l to 4, 20 designates the lower section and 2| the upper section of the safety cot. These two sections fill, 2-! are each hinged to a central narrow section 22 as will be described.

Secured to the section 2! at each side, isa segment 23 which is providedwith three notohes 23a, 23b, 230 (Fig. 4).

It is to be noted that the center pivot '24 of the segment'23 is located adjacent the inner-edge of the section 2|. The segment 23 is pivoted between two coacting segments 25 and 26 and lies close between their two inner sides (see Fig. 10)

The center pivot 24, already described serves as a hinge between the segment 23 and-the segments 25, 26 which latteraresecured rigidly-with -the centralnarrow intermediate section 22. The

section 22 is hinged to the bottom board a (Fig. 4) with suitable hinges 21. When the parts 20 and 2| are folded the intermediat section 22 forms the end of the box structure of the cot. The abutting edges of the main section 20 and the intermediate section 22, with the hinges 21 form, in effect, a rule joint, which permits pivotal movement between limits. I

A mattress 28 is composed of two sections 23a and 28b, connected together with a narrow web section 280. This web section 280 is attached to the upper adjacent edges of the mattress sections 28a, 28b to provide for a complete outer surface without having spaces which would be uncomfortable for the baby.

In order to hold the baby in place on the cot while washing or otherwise caring for the baby, I provide a specially shaped sheet and harness means. This is described in my copending application S. N. 362,696. Attached to the cot is a sheet 30 which is secured to the cot sides as by tabs 3| and 32. On the inner or lower end is provided an extension 30a which is provided with snap buttons 300 along its sides to its free end 30b.

Shoulder straps 30d are secured to the sheet 30 at suitable places and are provided with snap buttons 30c which coact with the coacting snap buttons on the holdingmember 33 as at 3311.

These snap buttons hold the straps 30d in place and the particular snap button, which gives the proper length, is selected for use.

In order to prevent side movement of the baby while on the cot, there is provided on theadjustable upper holding member 33, straps 33a at its upper or outer edge. These straps 33a are of sufiicient length to permit their extending to the sides of the cot where they may be held in place by suitable snap buttons, coacting members of which are located on the straps 33a and the sides of the cot as at 331), Coacting with the snap buttons 300 of the sheet 30 are complementary snap buttons 330 on the inner or lower edge of the upper holding member 33.

When the baby is to be put in place and the holding sheet and upper member are to be used to provide a harness, the upper holding member is removed or loosened at the bottom and on one side. The baby having been put down on the sheet 30, the upper holding member 33 is passed over the body of the baby and the straps 33a secured, The snap buttons 30c and 330 are secured together between the babys legs. If desired the snap buttons 33?) may have complementary members 30) in the sheet 30 to hold the baby more nearly in the center of the sheet.

Stitched as at 33f to the center of the upper portion 33 is a strap {33 which lieson a line with the straps 33a and has a series of snaps 33g on each side of the stitching. The body of the upper portion 33 has two folds 33?). which are provided with snap button portions 33i which are complementary to the snaps 339. By using different 00- acting snap members 339 and 33i, different adjustments may be obtained for different sizes of children. This feature is particularly advantageous when the snaps 33a are used in eoaotion with snap members 301 which coact-ion has already been described.

After the upper member 33 is in place, the shoulder straps 30d are first brought over the shoulders of the baby and are then crossed, after which they are secured to the snap buttons 33d on the outer part of the upper member 33. When this is done the child is securely held in place.

It is to be noted that a part or the upper member 33 has been broken away to show the attachment of the strap 30d to the sheet 30.

It is sometimes necessary or desirable to raise the hinged section at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees or degrees, to provide for this, there is a locking means to hold the parts in any of the several adjusted positions.

Pivoted in the narrow section member 22 beneath the hingles 21, is a shaft 34. On each end of the shaft 34 is an arm 35 which is rigid with the shaft and has pivoted at its outer end a link 36 which has at its upper end a pin 31, This pin 31 extends through and operates loosely in a pair of slots 25a, 26a. (Fig. 10) in ears 25b, 26b on the upper respective edges of the segments 25, 26.

The slots 25a, 26a are in position and of such a length that they cooperate with the notches 23a, 23b, 23c, to permit the pin 31 to drop into one thereof when in registry therewith.

When it is desired to change the relative adjustment between the two sections of the cot, it is only necessary to raise the end of either arm 35 where it is pivoted to its link 36. I This in turn rotates the shaft 34 sufficiently to raise the opposite arm 35, thus lifting the links 36 and the pins 31 to a point where they clearthe notches 23a, 23b, 230. By placing the hinged cot section at the desired angle and releasing the pins3l, the latter will drop into the appropriate notch 23a,

23b, or 230 and the two cot sections will be main tained at this angle.

In order to prevent tipping of the cot when'the -ently described.

The outer sides of the pivoted section 20, 2| register with each other when the cot is in folded position, the mattress being compressed equally throughout its area. Suitable catch or fastening members 38, 38a are provided to secure and hold the folded members in closed position. Any suitable handle or carrying means may be provided.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 to 13, the parts designated from 22 to 31 are common to both modifications and have, therefore, been so designated wherever shown, in all figures of the drawings.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5 to 13, 40 designates the outer or main section'of thecot and 4|, the other hinged section which isslightly smaller in width and length and folds within the sides of the section 40.

Beneath the section 40, or 20, is placed an extensible support which in its inoperative position is within the area of one side of the section 40, or 20. In the embodiment shown, the extensible frame 42 is secured to the section 40 as'byhinges 43. See Figs. 11 and 12. When in full line position, it is extended and provides a support for the hinged section 2|, or 4!. When in inopera tive position it may be held in place in any suitable manner as by a spring catch 46.

When the parts 40 and 4| are folded, they may be retained in any suitable manner as by a suitable catch 44. a handle 45 is illustrated for the purpose of carrying when being transported.

It is to be noted that no solid or flexible bottom is shown on the drawings and that the omission of any showing is for the sakeof cleamessot illustration. l

It will thus be seen that I have provided a safety cot for the care of babies which can be used not only while washing or powdering the baby but also as a seat where the child may sit inclined or upright and also as a bed while travelling or at home.

This construction provides a soft bed upon which to place the baby for washing and other care. The upper part of the body, arms and legs can be reached with the baby securely held While it is only necessary to loosen the lower or inner edges of the parts 30 and 33 to reach the body of the baby.

While I have illustrated and described my invention in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosures are merely illustrative and that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and within its scope as claimed.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. A folding cot for the care of babies which comprises a pair of hinged main sections of substantially equal size, each having a mattress section, an intermediate section hinged to the main sections and holding them in relative position, the mattress sections having a connecting section, the intermediate section being of a size to cause the mattress sections to lie substantially flat against each other when in folded position, means for holding the intermediate section and one main section in any one of a plurality of adjusted relative positions and a transverse rod having hand-operated pieces at its ends and D- erable from either side of the cot for, at will, operating the holding means.

2. A folding cot for the care of babies which comprises a pair of hinged main section of substantially equal size, each having a mattress section, an intermediate section hinged to th main sections and holding them in relative position, the mattress sections having a connecting section, the intermediate section being of a size to cause the mattress sections to lie substantially flat against each other when in folded position, means at each side of the cot for holding the intermediate section and one main section in any one of a plurality of adjusted relative positions and a pivoted rod having hand-operated pieces at its ends and operable from either side of the cot for, at will, operating the holding means.

3. A folding cot for the care of babies which comprises a pair of hinged main sections of substantially equal size each having a mattress section, an intermediate section hinged to the main sections and holding them in relative position, the mattress sections having a connecting section, the intermediate section being of a size to cause the mattress sections to lie substantially fiat against each other when in folded position, means at each side of the cot for holding the intermediate section and One main section in any one of a plurality of adjusted relative positions, a transverse rod having hand-operated pieces at its ends and pivoted on the intermediate section and connecting means between the rod and the holding means at each side of the cot.

MARGARET R. KOSTER. 

